The coach wondered about every part of the system that comprises CSU’s passing attack.

“One, are you getting open on time? Which goes back to the detail,” McElwain said. “Two, I thought there was way too much push in the pocket, which once that gets up in your face it’s hard. It’s not easy. And so finding the throwing lanes (is hard).”

Grayson did improve his completion percentage from the first to the second half, going 5-of-11 in the first half and 8-of-13 in the second. CSU’s use of a no-huddle offense had something to do with it, McElwain said.

“I thought when we gave him the opportunity to go no-huddle, he started to find guys and got into a rhythm,” he said. “I think the important thing is finding a rhythm.”